Hello!
Today marks the halfway point of my trip through Vietnam and Taiwan. So far, we have spent time in southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City and Hue)–the weather has treated us well, our travel and plans have been smooth, and, of course, the food has been delicious. Here are some highlights from each area:
HCMC:
- Meeting and dinner with Darryl Dong, Head of IFC in Vietnam (global market development investment firm)
- Meeting with management team of Vigo, an efficiency-based e-commerce startup
- Meeting with representatives of Asmara’s Vietnam branch, which oversees multi-level garment supply chain initiatives
- Historical immersion surrounding the Vietnam War
Hue:
- Rural village and marketplace tour
- Historical immersion surrounding dynastic pre-colonial Vietnam
- Plenty of time for relaxation (my included photo is from my favorite spot to chill on the perfume river in Hue)
I’ve already learned so much about Vietnam’s history and culture, and have become more familiar with the structures and operations of industries reliant on the supply chain. Our meeting with Mr. Dong opened my eyes to a new perspective of progressive investing, where passion for development drives business rather than money. I also got to see the other side of these businesses–the rural folk who depend on entities like Vigo and IFC to operate in a struggling but rapidly growing market.
Today, we travel to Hai Phong, a coastal city known for seafood and its old post office, for a night. Then we depart for Ha Long, where we will embark on an overnight cruise around its bay. Our final destination in Vietnam is Hanoi, the capital, where we will resume business visits and see more French influence on the country. Then, we leave for Taipei, where we will explore high-tech industry (semiconductors) and compare its established market to Vietnam’s developing market. It’s hard to imagine how much more learning I still have to do, but I’m excited to continue exploring this incredible part of the world! I’ll see you in Taiwan and let you know just how it went!